How Periodontal Disease Develops

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How Periodontal Disease Develops
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• Periodontal treatments, like many other aspects
  of good health, conforms to the old adage, An
  ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
  Reducing the excess formation of plaque through
  regular brushing and flossing is important to
  avoid a serious condition called periodontitis,
  or gum disease.

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• This condition starts when food particles,
  especially from sweet and/or highly acidic
  beverages, such as sodas, is left on the teeth
  over a period of time, providing a source of
  nourishment for bacteria. These bacteria, in
  turn, create plaque, which is a sticky
  combination of harmful bacteria, residual food,
  and saliva which builds up on teeth, especially
  along the gumline.

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• The bacteria multiply within these
  communities, eventually leading to inflammation
  and infection of the gum tissues. This infection
  in its early stage is called gingivitis, which
  you may know from advertising campaigns by
  popular brands of mouthwash. This stage is
  reversible, and is the best time for diagnosis
  and treatment. However, if left untreated,
  gingivitis can become an uncurable and very
  serious form of periodontal disease, called
  periodontitis.

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• As the bacteria multiply and infect the gums,
  the gums separate from the teeth, increasing the
  rate of infection. Eventually, the bacteria cause
  decay of the bone structure which anchors the
  teeth in the mouth, ultimately resulting in tooth
  loss. Unfortunately, bone and soft tissue grafts
  may be the best treatment for highly advanced
  cases of periodontitis, so theres no replacement
  for prevention and early diagnosis.

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• Your friendly dentists at Smiles of La Mesa are
  highly experienced in controlling the bacteria
  below the gum line causing the infection. Further
  damage can be prevented with professional
  treatment and consistent home-care.